There isn’t any substitute in Pantomime for an excellent script and a solid who work as an Ensemble to ship present. Reading Hexagon is fortunate to have Justin Fletcher and Paul Morse of their ninth season along with Ryan Alexander Full and Rachel Delooze returning for a second successive 12 months on the venue. Following their success collectively in Beauty and the Beast final 12 months Justin Fletcher once more writes the script for the present and along with director Steve Boden, cleverly refreshes most of the conventional pantomime enterprise to create a virtually excellent pantomime for the younger Berkshire audiences. The result’s a present with a well-judged two-hour working time that engages the viewers and retains the younger youngsters from babes in arms upwards entertained all through that point, demonstrating that Fletcher is aware of how you can join along with his younger audiences.
The Musical course and preparations beneath Miles Russell have been one other stand-out characteristic of the present with a solid who may all sing nicely sufficient to place over the tunes. The absolute spotlight was a really intelligent interpretation of “I know him so well “ from the musical Chess sung initially by Jack (Carl Tracey) and the Princess (Katsie Fong Frydenberg) until Gil walks on and farts and the song takes another deliciously funny direction. But we also had “Brand new day”, “That’s alright mama”, “Build me up Buttercup”, “Hit the road Jack”, “I need a hero” and “Shut up and dance with me” spanning over sixty years of music. Each track was accompanied by some wonderful choreography by Adrian Edmeades and an Ensemble of 4 and a Junior Ensemble totally built-in into the storytelling with Fletcher usually generously taking a again seat function somewhat than being centre stage.The returning artists Ryan Alexander Full as Walter Botemme and Rachel Delooze as Fairy Bluebell completely fitted their characters because the evil and good influences though Walter’s entrances down a stage left chute occurred too rapidly to totally admire the second! They each engaged very well with the viewers and as at all times it’s a delight to listen to younger audiences responding to the decision and return shout-outs proper from the beginning with none encouragement in any respect! Collen Daley added wonderful assist as Queen of Merrydale with loads of vitality and reactions together with within the “Chapel Bells” routine. What’s extra, we heard each phrase of every performer even when the chaos on stage was at its top.
Just so as to add to the magic of pantomime there was a wonderful-looking cow, an impressive lumbering tall Giant, a fantastically glowing harp and a really well-done U/V beanstalk rising sequence. All that was lacking was a standard track sheet with youngsters on stage which has nonetheless to make its return put up covid.If you haven’t booked for pantomime this 12 months, or have by no means taken your younger household to see one earlier than that is the present to start out them off on. Virtually no grownup innuendo, loveable characters, loads of foolish jokes, vigorous and recognisable music, filled with pantomime conventional enterprise and on the centre in Justin Fletcher and Paul Morse, two masters of the style who know what it takes to entertain the younger household audiences annually.
Review by Nick Wayne
Rating: ★★★★
Seat: Row E | Price of Ticket: £29